Letter: Respect is earned

I'm one who has always been polite and compliant to police officers regardless of the situation.

I appreciate what they do and fully understand the risks they take on a daily basis.

However, I had a traumatic experience some time ago that still haunts me to this day.

In short, a hostile officer thrust his finger in my face, and screamed at and verbally abused me. When I actually teared up, he told me to "drop the act."

The only time this officer ever showed any control is when I worked up the nerve to tell him that I couldn't believe how rude he was being.

I still remember the officer's name to this day and wish I had at least gone and talked to a superior about his behavior given I wonder if he has continued, or has always, treated peaceful civilians in such a redundant and hostile manner. I wouldn't have argued the ticket for illegal lane change, but I still wish I had said something about his conduct.

Many would say police officers deserve instant respect. However I politely urge every officer to remember that respect is earned and never freely given.

And people aren't their punching bags if they've had a bad day.

Officers of the kind I met that day, really do give upstanding officers a bad reputation.

The officers I've met through my work lately have been nothing but wonderful and it's with them in mind I've chosen to write this. Thank you.